‘Every suggestion’ HPV vaccine will cut cervical cancers

There is “every suggestion” HPV vaccination will lead to a fall in cervical cancers, say scientists who carried out a major review of evidence.

Most cervical cancer cases are linked to the human papilloma virus and vaccination began over a decade ago.

The Lancet review of 65 studies covering 60 million people over eight years showed a fall in HPV cases and in pre-cancerous growths.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said the data should boost faith in the jab.

What is the human papilloma virus (HPV)?

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HPV is the name for a common group of viruses; there are more than 100 types of HPV

Many women will be infected with HPV over the course of their lifetime, with no ill effect

Most cervical cancers are caused by infection from a high-risk HPV

Others cause conditions including genital warts and cancers of the head and neck

The vaccine, given to girls aged 12 and 13 since 2008, protects against four types of HPV – 16 and 18, which are linked to more than 70% of cervical cancers – and six and 11, which cause about 90% of genital warts

There are 3,200 cases of cervical cancer and 850 deaths from the disease each year.

‘Real-world’ evidence

The review covered studies in 14 high-income countries, including the UK. They looked at HPV rates, plus cases of genital warts and pre-cancerous cells in the cervix called CIN.

It found that when rates were compared before vaccination started and eight years after:

Cases of HPV 16 and 18 were down 83% in girls aged 15-19 – 66% in women 20-24

Genital warts cases fell 67% in girls 15-19 – 54% in women 20-24

Pre-cancerous growths were down by 51% in girls 15-19 – 31% in women 20-24

It also showed people who were not vaccinated benefited. Cases of genital warts in men aged 15-19 fell by almost 50%, and also significantly in women over 30.

Rates fell more in countries where a wider age group was vaccinated and where coverage was higher.

Public Health England principal scientist Dr David Mesher said: “We are seeing reductions in HPV strains and in cervical disease as well, so there is every suggestion there will be reductions in cervical cancers too.”

Prof Marc Brisson, from Laval University, Canada, who led the review, said: “We will see reductions in women aged 20-30 within the next 10 years.”

He said cervical cancer elimination – defined as fewer than four cases per 100,000 – “might be possible if sufficiently high vaccination coverage can be achieved and maintained”.